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To the uninitiated, Wardour News Soho looked like every other London newsagent. The outside was painted black, with a giant DAZED logo on the awning underneath the shop’s name, and the window displays stacked with the latest issues of fashion magazines. Inside, racks upon racks of magazines lined the walls, and a display of sweets and chips took up the centre of the little store. The proprietors, Raj Patel and his brothers, would stand behind the counter and ring up your purchases, stopping to thank you as you left. But this unassuming shop held more history, and influence than many might know.
Opened on July 16, 1984, by Raj Patel, his brother Hitesh, and family friend Ash, Wardour News Soho was, until its closing due to rising rents on May 25 of this year, one of the most influential institutions in the history of British fashion magazines. Loved by customers for its amazingly diverse range of magazines, the shop and the Patel Brothers were also well known and often frequented by big names in the British and international magazine industry for their hard work and support of new and emerging talent. Many an independent magazine got their start by selling their first copies at Wardour News, and the Patel Brothers have advised and mentored many a magazine editor in their 34 years of business.
“We started with magazines because we thought it would be a good challenge,” says Raj in an interview. On their influence in the world of magazines, the Patel brothers are humble and proud. They remember selling the first copies of DAZED – the founders of the magazine came in with their first printed copies for the Patels to stock and waited across the street to watch if it would sell, then coming in for a photograph when the first copies were sold. “I used to be known by name by every media company, and if my customer wanted something and they didn’t get it on time I would go mad,” said Raj Patel in an interview with Esquire.
Their kindness and hard work meant they were well-loved by customers as well as publishers. Alexandra Gordienko, the founder of the Marfa Journal, honoured them and the help they gave her in starting her publication by putting them on the cover of the magazine’s sixth issue, and, on the announcement of their closing, Vogue put together a number of condolences and well-wishes by the editors and founders of some of Wardour News’ most beloved magazines. “We were still learning our way across the publishing scene, but Raj and the Patel brothers were beyond accommodating. Raj sat down with us, offering guidance,” said Sam Diss, editor of Mundial, remembering launching the magazine at Wardour in 2014. “Wardour News was the biggest source of joy for anyone passionate about magazines. Mr Patel and the staff at the newsagents had years of expertise,” the Editor-in-Chief of Luncheon Magazine told Vogue.
“All fashion, I like to look at these ones,” says Raj Patel when asked about his favourite magazines by Vogue. He remembers the release of many illustrious issues of magazines and the crowds they drew, from Another Man’s Harry Styles issue to the 25th-anniversary issue of Dazed to the 2017 issue of Vogue. Though sad to retire, the brothers look back on their time at Wardour News with fondness. “It’s very sad that we have to leave but I’m taking with me all the good things, all my customers, they keep me going.” They plan to spend their time after retirement with family, but continue to believe in the power of print and are happy to help the magazine industry as mentors and experts. Who would have thought that these unassuming Indian brothers would have the impact they did in the publication world and fashion, and the closing of the landmark store has broken many hearts across the board, however, their legacy and contributions will live on.
Click here to read the fashion world’s tribute to Wardour by Vogue magazine.
Feature image courtesy of Julian Lovick via Instagram.
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